Back Rooms to Ballot Boxes: Primary Reform, the People, and the Press

More Information

Washington, DC…On Thursday, January 31, at 7 p.m., the National Archives
will host a panel discussion on Presidential primary reform. Newseum
Producer Frank Bond will moderate a panel including former McGovern-Fraser
Commission lead researcher Ken Bode and American Conservative Union president
David Keene. The program is free and open to the public, and will be
held in the William G. McGowan Theater in the National Archives Building on
Constitution Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets NW, Washington, DC.

Major primary reform in the 1970s ushered out an era of political power brokers
deciding the fate of candidates. What happened 30 years ago that fundamentally
changed the nature of Presidential elections? How have big money, political
ads, and blogs influenced primaries? How well have journalists helped
voters understand the election process? And why do we have so many
primaries and caucuses with New Hampshire and Iowa leading the pack? The
National Archives in partnership with the Newseum is pleased to present a program
that explores the history of the primary system, citizen participation, and
the impact of the media.

The National Archives is fully accessible. To request an accommodation
(e.g., sign language interpreter) for a public program please e-mail public.program@nara.gov or call 202-357-5000 two weeks prior to the event. To verify the date and
times of the programs, the public should call 202-357-5333 or view the Calendar of Events online.

# # #

For Press information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs Staff at 202-357-5300.